Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are risk-takers, but their “potent” coaching combination is worth it as the Boks stand on the cusp of World Cup glory, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane suggests that Erasmus and Nienaber’s trust in the depth of the Springbok squad, a vital factor in their 2019 World Cup win and their recent win over France, is central to their approach as they prepare to face England on Saturday in the semi-finals of this year’s tournament.
Their strategic planning often involves rotating players, which has raised plenty of eyebrows, but Keohane believes Erasmus and Nienaber do so not to hinder performance but to manage their team and foster trust in multiple individuals for each position.
Keohane acknowledges that Erasmus and Nienaber’s six-year Bok tenure has been unconventional, but argues that it has laid the groundwork for the world champions to claim an unprecedented fourth World Cup title in France.
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“They have taken risks and been prepared to include defeats in those risks to get answers and to also ask more questions,” he writes.
“They made it clear that the biggest prize was the World Cup, winning it and then defending it, and if achieved, then every action would have been merited.”
According to Keohane, there will be a heavier reliance on set-piece play from South Africa against England in Paris, and that the management of players’ physical and mental well-being following their quarter-final ordeal against the French will be crucial.
He expects a challenging match against England, and further predicts that next week’s final will be a classic showdown between the Boks and All Blacks.
“I have the Boks to win by 12, but I don’t think it will be smooth, easy or pretty. It will be a slog,” Keohane writes.
“England, despite being unbeaten at the tournament, have not played a team of South Africa’s quality. And then the rugby world will get the final of all finals…”
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